Squatters have taken over another hotel in Spain, after last month it was reported that squatters had taken apartments at a popular resort in Majorca — and locals are becoming increasingly concerned
Squatters have taken over another hotel in Spain, leaving residents infuriated.
Hotel Callao Sport, a complex originally designed for sports tourism but closed for the past five years in the south of Tenerife, has been taken over by squatters.
According to local reports, at least 50 rooms were initially occupied, but the number has since doubled to 100 in just two weeks. There have also been reports of disturbances such as noise, lights left on throughout the night, and a growing sense of insecurity in the area, as some believe criminal networks are profiting from the situation.
The Adeje Town Hall commented that the property’s owner had commenced legal proceedings against the squatters. However, they also emphasised that the security matters fall under the jurisdiction of the National Police and the Guardia Civil. Local Police have intervened in cases that fall within their remit when requested by residents, reports Canarian Weekly.
One concerned resident, Pedro, shared his experience on COPE Radio in Tenerife. He confirmed that all the rooms of the hotel are now occupied and estimated that around 200 people are living in the building.
Pedro added that there have been reports of theft in the area and claimed that looting in the complex has involved furniture and other materials being dismantled to be sold online. He continued that authorities have intervened several times due to the theft of objects and machinery from the hotel and that three people appear to be leading these illegal activities, including charging for the use of rooms.
Residents have expressed that they remain uneasy with the situation, and stressed frustrations that “the Guardia Civil have done nothing”. This is the most recent in a number of incidents where squatters have taken over hotels. Last month, squatters took over a building in a former hotel in Majorca, swearing that they won’t leave.
Dating back to the early seventies, BelleVue in Alcudia, Spain is a thriving holiday village and in total is home to 17 blocks of over 1,400 apartments and studios. However, one of the buildings has become overwhelmed with squatters ahead of the planned opening to holidaymakers later this year.
Located in the Neptuno II building of the resort, around 50 people were believed to have moved in and placed padlocks on the apartments they are residing within. At the time of the incident, one squatter told the Majorca Daily Bulletin: “We are not here for fun.”
“We are here because there are no flats to live in. It is impossible to pay the rents,” another said.
The squatters said that they intended to stay in the building until there is intervention to remove them.
Also, in January, police were also on high alert after 30 squatters took over a hotel in Cala Bona and reportedly destroyed the reception, breaking windows and vandalising the walls.
